Pulaski

I sometimes leave things in the bed of my truck while in Lowes, or grocery shopping, and I wouldn't have done that anywhere in the UK (if I had driven a pick-up there ). Last Sunday I left my mower, strimmer, and back-pack blower in the truck while buying groceries.

Welshgator

I had an uncle who lived in Croydon most of his life. He had a Cortina that was stolen 3 times from outside his house. The last time it was stolen on a Friday night. On Sunday there was a knock on the door and the two guys who stole it had brought it back, said they needed to borrow it for the weekend. Then proceeded to show him how to secure it so it wouldn't get stolen again....LOL.

SultanOfSwing

I do notice that a lot, that people will leave items like that in the back of the truck. I also have a bad habit of not locking my car door when I'm at the shops.

I honestly don't think anyone other than a completely idiodic opportunist would attempt to break into a car/lift stuff out of a truck in broad daylight in either country though.

I need to stop not unpacking my car after gigs though, having all my gear in there is bloody stupid, however unlikely a daylight break-in may be ...

Welshgator

My only personal experience was when I had a one week course at the Univ. of Reading. I had an XR3 and first night there someone smashed the drivers window and proceeded to break a screwdriver in the ignition lock. It was a Sunday night and there was a huge storm, my car was soaked inside. I had to deal with getting it towed and the best part of the next morning dealing with the insurance company. What a pain in the rear that was.
We get quite a bit of car break ins here in Gainesville but most seem to be opportunistic, with kids trying the door handles to see if they are open.

Pulaski

I believe most thieves are opportunists, so will visit houses/cars until they find an unlocked door or open window. They will pick, in most cases, the easiest targets. A couple of years ago thieves went through my neighborhood one night, "breaking into" any unlocked car in a driveway and taking iPods and sat-navs, mostly.

It is for this reason that I always use a steering wheel lock, which is highly visible, to deter would-be car thieves. I don't pretend it makes my car or truck theft proof, but it does make it obviously harder to steal than the next car, which is all I care about!

Nokoman

You are probably right. I like the " guide them to the next car " technique

Scouse Express

Nice to see how this thread has morphed into one about thefts from cars....

Nutek

I have a habit of locking my car doors as I walk away from it, despite the fact that I have left the roof down.

Pulaski

Yeah, and I never remember a thread going "off topic" before!

Pulaski

It used to be common advice in London to never lock a convertible, because any would-be thief would just cut their way in through the roof if the door was locked.

Nutek

Mine isn't a soft top (it's a PRHT), but I remember being told the same thing about the MG.

Nokoman

Going even more off topic....anyone remember the craze the yobs had 30 years ago? Stealing the emblem of VW cars.

Ichigo-chan

You have got to fight, for your right, to paaaarty !

Nokoman

You lost me??

Pulaski

The VW badges worn as pendants were a Beastie Boy thing.